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Ryan Van Stralen has the next few years of his life pretty well mapped out.

The Prescott native, who played his third and final year with the Ottawa 67's last season, decided to stick close to home and recently committed to play for the Carleton University Ravens this coming year.

First, though, he's trying to impress the Senators organization and prove he has what it takes to play professional hockey. Getting the invite to this week's development camp was a big step in the right direction for the 6-foot-3 left-winger.

"It's special, that's all I can really say," Van Stralen, 20, said after the on-ice session Friday, where he's been training alongside 2014 Ottawa draft pick Andreas Englund and recently-acquired Nick Paul. "I grew up watching the Sens, I've been to tons of home games. It's a hometown team for me and getting an invite here is something special for me and my family."

Van Stralen, who had his best year last season with the 67's in collecting 29 goals and 29 assists, said he toyed with the idea of going to school on the east coast but decided Carleton was the best fit. But he wants to show well enough this week to prove he has what it takes to go pro. He's happy to know Carleton is there, but he wants to make the NHL.

"I want to play pro hockey so I'm just working hard right now to make that happen," he said. "

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Carleton or pro for Van Stralen

Ryan Van Stralen has the next few years of his life pretty well mapped out.

The Prescott native, who played his third and final year with the Ottawa 67's last season, decided to stick close to home and recently committed to play for the Carleton University Ravens this coming year.

First, though, he's trying to impress the Senators organization and prove he has what it takes to play professional hockey. Getting the invite to this week's development camp was a big step in the right direction for the 6-foot-3 left-winger.

"It's special, that's all I can really say," Van Stralen, 20, said after the on-ice session Friday, where he's been training alongside 2014 Ottawa draft pick Andreas Englund and recently-acquired Nick Paul. "I grew up watching the Sens, I've been to tons of home games. It's a hometown team for me and getting an invite here is something special for me and my family."